Automatic gathering valve



April 7, 1953 F. MASTNOCK 2,633,865

7 AUTOMATIC GATHERING VALVE Filed Jan. 12, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Frank Mas/noel:

INVENTOR.

April 7, 1953 F. MASTNOCK AUTOMATIC GATHERING VALVE 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Jan. 12, 1948 v 2 9 u 4 4 4 4 4 4 9 H 1 9 3 H; in I. 6 3 m. 8, 5 u 7 m 5 M 5 x 3 ll. 0 5 .l4 4 3 9 m 4. M 9 7 w 0 3 3 0 m 2 I r H 9 m 2 x .4, p u H 0 l 5 H 9 3 llnl. Fv Y 2 a 3 6 n ,2 9 U 6 I T 3 H I. H fill/l/l/l/i/l/l/l/ Ill lll/ll/l/l/I 9 m R. m m D m 8 w M M w m F u Patented Apr. 7, 1953 orncs AUTOMATIC GATHERING VALVE Frank Mastnock, Meadow Lands, Pa. Application J anuary 12, 1948, Serial No. 1,882

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in automatic gathering valves.

to simplify the functions of the drainage system in coal mines or other drainage systems in such a manner) that the valves will be entirely automatic and adequate to meet any conditions under which the same are used.

' An important object of the invention is to provide an automatic gathering valve used in connection with gathering pumps and in which the valve is controlled by the suction of the pump.

A further object of the invention is to provide float control means to render the suction means inactive. without interfering with the continuous operation of the pump.

A still further object is to provide a compression chamber and plunger for the cut-off valve of an intake pipe for a drainage system and providing a suctionpperated pump connected to the intake pipe andarranged whereby pressure from the pump will .hold the cut-off valve in either open or'closed position and further to provide a float control valve tocontrol the opening and closing of the cut off valve.

A still 'furtherobject is to provide an automatic gatheringvalve for drainin the drainage system of simple and practical construction,

which is efficient and reliable in operation, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and install in operative position-and which is otherwis well adapted-for the purposes for which the same is v intended.

Figure l is aperspective view of the protective housing for the gathering valve;

- Figure 2 is an; enlarged-vertical sectional view thereof; a r I t Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional viewof the snap lock for the suction operated valve and taken substantially on the liney3- 3 of Figure 2; and a Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view ofthe suction valve takensubstantially on the line 4--4 ofFigureZ.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein for the purpose of illustration I have disclosed a preferred, embodiment of the invention the numeral 5 designates the intake pipe of a. drainage system to which the usual'suction pump (not shown) is connected. A gate type cut ofi valve 6. is provided for the pipe 5 andincludes anupwardly extending valve stem 1 having plunger 8 attached to its upper end working ine. compression chamber or cylinders.

- .A four-way valve-designated generally at I O includes -a' cy1indrical--valve housing H and plunger type valve body 12, working therein. Upper and lower pipes l3,and l4 connect one side of the housing II respectively to the upp and lower portions of the compression cham; ber 9 and upper and lower pipes l5 and [6 0p:-

.posed respectively to the pipes l3 and I4 lead from a diametrically opposite side of the housing H. The valve body l2 includes upper and lower horizontal apertures l1 and I8 and diagonal apertures I9 and 29 to alternately provide communication between pipes l5 and 16 with pipes I3 or l4 during vertical movement of the valve [2,

A valve stem 2| extends downwardly from the valve l2 through the valve housing H and at the lower end of which stem an arm 22 is freely attached, the arm 22 being connected to a float arm 23 by means of a shaft 24 journaled to the lower portion of compression chamber 9. A float 25 is attached to the lower end of float arm 23.

The pipe i5 is provided with branches 26 and 21 connected respectively to a pump chamber 28 at the opposite sides of a central partition 29 therein. Each branch pipe is provided with a check valve 39.

The pipe l6 leads to the top of a reservoir 3| supported on top of the chamber 28 and connected to the opposite ends of the pump chamber by ports '32 controlled by check valves 33. A vented filler cap 34 is provided for the resetvoir3i. I v A plunger rod 35 is slidable in the partition 29 and projects outwardly at one end of chamber 28, theplunger rod having plungers orpistons 36 and 31 workin in the chamber 28 at opposite sides of the partition 29.

The partition 29 thus forms pump chambers 38,and 39 in the opposite ends of the chamber 28 and in which, the pistons 36 and 3,! respectively work, the ports 32- leading to the respective pump chambers adjacent-the inner ends of the latter. o a

Pipes 49 and 4f lead from the outer ends of the respective pump chambers '38 and 39 to a suc tion valve designated generally at 42. The valve housing 42 is positioned horizontally and includes a plunger type valve 43 having vertical passages 44. and 45 therein as well as diagonal passages 46 and 41 to provide a four-way valve similar to valve I 0. A vent pipe 48 and a suction "pipe 49 are attached to the valve housin 42 at aside thereof diametrically opposite to the pipes. 49 and 4| and opposed thereto; The suction'pipe 49 is attached to the intake pipe 5 at the suction side of the valve 6 and the suction pipe 49 is provided with a check valve "59.

A tube 521s slidable atone end in valvehousing 42 and threaded to the valve 43, theother end of the tube being connected to a collar 53 for uniform movement with the valve. The piston rod 35 is slidable in the collar and tube and provided with a fixed flange 35a at opposite sides of which are positioned coil springs 35b and 350 in the tube to provide. a yieldable connection between piston rod 35 and valve 43.

The collar 53 is provided with a pair of annular grooves 54 in which snap rollers 55 are alternately seated, the rollers being. positioned at diametrically opposite sides of the collar and journaled on rods 56 supported in brackets 51 attached to the adjacent end of chamber 23, the rods for the respective rollersbeing connected to each other by coil springs 58 to yieldably hold the rollers in the grooves 54.

The entire apparatus is enclosed in a protective housing 59 abovethe intake pipe 5 and supported on legs 69'. The shaft 24 projects outwardly from One side of the housing 59 to the outer end oi which the float arm 23 is attached to position the float outwardly of the housing. The suction pump connected to the intake pipe 5 is continuously operated to constantly maintain suction in pipe 49.

The level of the drainage water raises and lowers float 25 to thus raise and lower valve !2.

With the valve 43 in the position as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings the vertical passage in the valve will connect the suction pipe 49 with the chamber 39 while the vertical passage 4 in valve 43 will connect the chamber 38 with the 1 vent 4B. The pistons 35 and 3'! accordingly will be moved toward the right, the piston 3% pump ing the fluid from chamber 33 through branch pipe 26, pipe 15 and passage l9 to the chamber 9 under plunger 8 when the valve 12 is in its raised position to thus hold the gate valve 6 open.

' Fluid above the plunger 8 in chamber 9 will be returned to the reservoir 3| by pipe i3, passage 20' and pipe l6. Y

Upon completion of the movement or pistons 36 and 31 toward the right the valve 43 will likewise be moved toward the right to connect pipe 4| with vent 48 by passage 4'! and to connect pipe 43 with suction pipe itby passage'45.

The movement of pistons 36 and 3? will then be reversed to return the latter toward the left whereupon fluid from chamber 39 willbe pumped by'piston 31 through branch pipe 2? and pipe l5 into the chamber 9 under plunger 8 to likewise hold the gate valve 6 in" its open position.

Accordingly the pistons 36 and 3! will con'- tiriue to reciprocate to compress fluid in thelower portion .of chamber 9 to hold the gate valve'S 4 this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though thereis hereinz-shown= and described a preferred embodiment-of the invention the same is susceptible to certain changes fully compre- Ihended by the spirit of the invention as herein in its raised position and to maintain the'intake float 25 in a raised position.

When the float 25 is lowered thevalve: 12 will bemoved downwardly to connect the pressure I pipe I5 with pipe [3 by the upper horizontal passa ge I! and thus build up pressure in the chainber 9 above the plunger 8 whereby to close the gate 'valve 6. Fluid from the lower portion of chamber 9 is returned to reservoir 3| by pipe I6.

The snap action rollers and springs 35b and 350.11o1dthe valve 43 momentarily in. its opposite positions. while suction is being. built up in the. chambers 38 and 39 before-the valve moves into a reverse position to reverse the movement of the pistons.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings it is believed that. a clear understanding of the devicewill be quite apparent to those skilled in described and the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. An automatic gathering valve for the suction intake pipe ofdrainage systems and comprising a gate valve in the pipe, a pressure chamber, a plunger working in the chamber and connected to the valve, fluid pressure pipes connected to the chamber above and below the plunger, a float controlled reversing valve for the pressure pipes .to oppositely actuate the plunger, a fluid motor operated pump connected. to the pressure. pipes, and including tandem. pump chambers each having a piston working therein, suction pipes connecting Qne'end of each of the pump chambers to the intake pipe, and a reversing valve for the suction pipes and connected to the pistons for actuation thereby.

2. An automatic gathering valve for the suction intakepipe of drainage systems and comprising a gate valve in the pipe, a pressure chamber, a plunger working in the chamber and connected to the valve. fluid pressurepipes connected to the chamber above and below the plunger, a float controlled reversing valve forthe pressure pipes to oppositely actuate the plunger, a fluid motor operated pump connected to the. pressure pipes, and including tandem'pump chambers each having a piston working therein, suction pipes connecting one end of each of the pump chambers to the intake pipe, 'a reversing valve for the suction pipes and connected to the pistons for actuation thereby, and delayed action means for the pistons and their-reversing valve.

3. An autbmatic gathering valve for the s uc tion intake pipe of drainage systems and com"- prising a gate valve in the pipe, a pressure chamber, a plunger working in the chamber and connected to the valve, fluid pressure pipes connected to the chamber above and below' the plunger, a float contrclled' reversing valve for the pressure pipes to oppositely actuate the'plunger, a fiuid motor ope'r'ated' pump connected to'the pressure pipes, and including tandem pump chamberseach having'a piston working therein, suction pipes connecting one endof each of the pump chambers td'th'e intake pipe, a reversing valve for the suction pipes and connected to the pistons for actuation thereby, and delayed action means for the pistons and their reversing valve, said delayed a'ctionmeans comprisinga doublegrooved collar connected to and movable with'the pistons, and snap rollers alternatel'y seated in the grooves of the collar.

' 'FRANK'MASTNOCK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are 'of record in the file of this patent: I

UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 

